"The diversity in McCarty's writing - with themes ranging from aging, to homosexuality, to Blues music is immense. The way she empathatically touches on the human experience, bringing her audiences from laughter to tears in a split second proves a cathartic experience for all those involved."

Sally Hogarty, Orinda News

"McCarty's plays have a sharp and refreshing wit, and a vibrant sort of story-telling that gives her characters a wonderful sense of humanity, and her plays a unique take on the passing scene."

Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times

Kathryn G. McCarty, a Southern IL native, is Founder/Artistic Director of Galatean Players Ensemble. Her plays have been produced throughout the San Francisco area, Los Angeles and Chicago. Career highlights include working at Princeton's McCarter Theatre, the Chicago company of "Forbidden Broadway," the European tour of “West Side Story” and her classes with thousands of students from ages 4 to 70.

The following are the plays included in the book.

the LADIES QUINTET

A quintet of one acts for mature women.

THE GARDEN CLUB

The last surviving member of the Never-Blue Garden Club conducts the group’s annual meeting.

THE STAR POLISHER

An elderly woman polishes Joanne Woodward's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, reminiscing about the films that shaped her life and Nation.

NOEL

Clearing out her deceased sister’s attic, a woman discovers Ghosts of Christmas Past.

AN AMERICAN SKETCH

A painter dazzles her granddaughter with her paintbrush and wit, while teaching the components of a well-lived life.

A REAL POSSIBLE

A widow braces herself for the arrival of her Prom date.

STRAIGHT LACED:

A Cantata

An exploration of reparative therapy in an attempt to heal a young man of his homosexuality. (9M/8W, ensemble)

BESSIE! The Life of Bessie Smith

Celebrating the life of the “World's Greatest Blues Singer.” Bessie Smith took no prisoners as she graced stages across the country forever changing the face of music as we know it. (11W/8M, ensemble)

THE FITTING ROOM

A peek inside a ladies dressing room in a voyeuristic perspective on the search for meaning, truth and the perfect pair of jeans. (13W/4M)

DEFINING FORM

Siblings struggle over the care of their aging mother, in the early stages of Alzheimer's. (4W/4M)

Need information on how to rehearse and perform a monologue for an audition or class? Check out the following "How-To" Videos on Youtube. Interested in learning more about Character Development and acting for yourself or your class? Check out the "Acting Lessons" link at the top of the page.